It became a hotel towards the end of WWII when in the mid 1930s the Shrine Organisation were not been able to keep the building due to the affects of the 1929 Stock Market crash and it was used for various purposes during the intervening years.

The external decoration includes this Assyrian inspired frieze and a group of three warriors several floors above it.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Tim Morawetz in his excellent book Art Deco Architecture in Toronto describes the Garden Court apartments as "arguably Canada's finest example of low-rise, multi-unit housing built in the Streamlined Moderne style".

The complex consists of two and three storey blocks surrounding a central courtyard. The buildings were designed by Page and Steele and the landscaping was developed by H B Dunnington-Grubb.

Monday, October 19, 2009

George Coles designed this fabulous Egyptian Temple which was constructed in North London in 1930.

It is the Grade II Listed former Carlton Cinema in Islington. In recent years it has been a bingo hall but was closed in March 2007.

In May 2007, the Islington Gazette reported that the interior had been trashed by hundreds of ravers who partied "like wild animals" during a 24-hour bender of drink, dance music and destruction.

Last month, theIslington Gazette again reported on the fate of the former Carlton cinema.

Newly-founded evangelical church Resurrection Manifestations wants to restore the 2,300-capacity building as a conference centre, cinema and community venue.

The church bought the building in 2007 and will build a contemporary seven-storey block of 44 flats at the back of the site to help pay for the work. Representatives of the church are quoted as wanting to return the building to its former glory.

This looks like a great compromise and plans for the redevelopment are due before Islington Council in December 2009.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

This is an interesting residence called Agra on the Golf Links Estate in Camberwell. I especially like the quarter-circle balcony and the stepped brick supports and simple metal ballustrade on the other small balcony.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Now included as part of the City of Swan it is no longer required as a Town Hall but it has been retained for functions and other events.

The Guildford Town Hall is charactised by the lack of decoration with the only elements being the name in stylised Art Deco lettering on the semi-circular portico and the coats of arms featuring a large anchor at the top of the tower.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

It givs me an excuse to dust off my old photos of Unity Temple (from 2001) and show them here.

I am pleased to see that there is a certain overlap between the photos at designslinger and the ones I shot however I am sorry I missed the angle that opens their blog post. For me it sums one of the best aspects of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings, the interplay and levels of the various rooflines he works into his designs. Pop over and have a look at their photo, it is a beauty.

Now back to my photos.

These exterior shots show how Wright was using concrete to incorporate decoration onto his buildings. This arrangement reminds me a lot of Hollyhock House in Los Angeles which Wright designed for Aline Barnsdale in 1921.

The photos also show one of the main problems with early concrete buildings with damage clearly visible in each of the two main pictures. The Unity Temple Restoration Fund are working to maintain and restore the building.

The interior of Unity Temple is one of those views in modern architecture which everyone should see. So detailed and warm compared to the exterior. Yet the decoration is still made up of very simple geometric shapes.

Of course, being a FLLW building, there is lots of stained glass windows as well.

MELBOURNE ART DECO
In 2009 Robin Grow published a book on Melbourne Art Deco, with images largely supplied by David Thompson. The book quickly sold out and he is pleased to say that it has now been re-published by Brolga Press, with updates, errors corrected and a new cover.

Best of all, it is selling for about $25 in the shops and on-line. Art Deco & Modernism Society members can purchase a copy from me for $22, (includes postage within Australia). For overseas orders please email for postage rates. Contact me at robingrow@ozemail.com.au if you are interested, and advise if you would like the book to be dedicated and/or signed.